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Activity Description

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that Americans average a daily intake of 2,300 mg of sodium (about 1 teaspoon of salt). An intake of 1,500 mg sodium/day is recommended for persons who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. Despite efforts to reduce sodium intake in the United States, consumption levels run high--the average intake of the U.S. population is more than 3,400 mg of sodium (about 1.5 teaspoons of salt). While there is a now great deal of attention to strategies to lower sodium intake, concerns have been raised that a low level of sodium intake adversely affects blood lipids, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease risk.

This study will evaluate the results, study design, and methodological approaches that have been used to assess the relationship between sodium and health outcomes in the literature since the 2005 IOM Dietary Reference Intakes report on electrolytes, sodium, and water. Of primary interest are the effects (potential benefits or adverse effects) of sodium reduction in the general population as well as for population subgroups, such as African Americans, those ages 51 years and older, and those with hypertension, pre-hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure. The committee will review and comment on the quality of relevant literature as well as the benefits and adverse outcomes (if any) of reduced population sodium intake, particularly to levels of 1,500 to less than 2,300 mg/day and emphasizing relevant subgroups.